What Is Uremic Poisoning?
Uremic poisoning, or uremia, is a disorder caused by acute kidney failure or long-term kidney disease, according to WebMD and Dictionary.com. It happens when the kidneys can no longer filter wastes from the blood. As these wastes build up, they can poison the body.
People who suffer from uremic poisoning often need kidney dialysis, says WebMD. A machine filters poisons from their blood. Since uremia can affect every system in the body, its symptoms are variable. The patient might experience nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. She might be mentally confused or even psychotic. She may also suffer seizures and eventually fall into a coma. Another person with uremic poisoning might suffer from abnormal bleeding or heart problems. If fluid builds up around the lungs, the patient may find it hard to breathe. She may also suffer from itching skin and dry mouth, explains Kidney Cares Community.
There are basically three causes of uremia, notes Kidney Cares Community. With prerenal causes, the flow of blood to the kidneys is decreased through trauma, heavy blood loss and infections. Renal causes of uremia are diseases that strike the kidney itself, such as hereditary kidney problems, complications of diabetes or polycystic kidney disease. Postrenal causes are conditions that block the urinary tubes, such as stones, tumors or an enlarged prostate.
